National Grange Youth & Young Adultshttp://www.grange.org/youth
Be Proud. Be Leaders. Be Grange YouthMon, 18 Apr 2016 19:31:08 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1From the Director’s Chair: Create Management Mondayshttp://www.grange.org/youth/2016/04/18/from-the-directors-chair-create-management-mondays/
http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/04/18/from-the-directors-chair-create-management-mondays/#respondMon, 18 Apr 2016 19:31:08 +0000http://www.grange.org/youth/?p=174Continue reading →]]>One of the most overwhelming parts of being a youth director is keeping up with all of the details of the job and balancing family, work, and farm. My farm office desk gets overwhelmed very easily.

About a year ago, I was doing my daily blog check and a headline comes flying across the feed: “Create Management Mondays.” I was intrigued. So, I clicked and read.

Lou Tonneson at Farm Progress shared several suggestions from David Koupal, a South Dakota Extension farm business management instructor.

“We know there are specific dates throughout the year to mark on your calendar: weddings, Black Friday, all the holidays, church functions, school activities, date night with your spouse, and the list goes on. What I want you to do is set aside Management Monday to do your management records,” he says. “The No. 1 issue with many of my clients is trying to find time to complete their monthly records. I agree it is hard during the year to get those records complete on a regular basis. So what I would like to suggest is Management Mondays. Pick out one or two Mondays during the month to work on the record-keeping. Depending on the size of your operation, this procedure may take anywhere from an hour to most of the day. Some may be able to stay current with only one Monday a month, where others may need to devote more time.”

The suggestions go on to say:

“The biggest obstacle is to have self-discipline to dedicate the time to complete the records. By consistently completing records on a monthly basis, I see more accuracy with my own book-keeping. Staying current with billing statements helps keep track of payments and may avoid late fees,” he says.

In order to have success with Management Mondays, everyone in the operation needs to respect the person who completes the records, Koupal says.

How does this work in my role as a youth director. It designates a time to tackle the needed filings, record keeping and planning for the department. It does not have to be Monday, and could easily be “Management Saturday” or “Management Thursday” if that works better in your schedule.

I have found by designating a dedicated time in my calendar, it carves out a defined time for department work.

I have worked at the “Management Monday” program with my farm business. I am not perfect, but I have found the “Management Monday” program has helped to manage the to-do list on my desk. I hope it might help you as well.

The Pennsylvania Grange youth department organized a take-home project that was a hit at its recent young adult conference, Scrabble tile coasters. It might sound crazy, but I think the genius was in its simplicity and uniqueness.
The idea was discovered by Pennsylvania State Grange youth director Ellen Wadsworth on Pintrest. A short search and presto, I was linked up to a set of instructions that I could share.
First, you need to purchase Scrabble tiles. They can be purchased online through craft supply stores or Amazon. The other supplies are cork board cut into squares to fit about 4 tiles across and 4 tiles down, glue and polyurethane spray.
Arrange the tiles toGrangers work on their scrabble coasters.

build words or a message, use blanks to fill in spaces, and glue the tiles onto the cork. Once dry, take the coaster outside to spray and seal with the polyurethane and let dry.
For photos on the how to, go to http://www.listotic.com/35-easy-diy-gift-ideas-everyone-will-love/20/.
]]>http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/04/01/youth-activity-idea-scrabble-tile-coasters/feed/0Motivational Monday Idea: Easter Egg Hunthttp://www.grange.org/youth/2016/02/22/motivational-monday-idea-easter-egg-hunt/
http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/02/22/motivational-monday-idea-easter-egg-hunt/#respondMon, 22 Feb 2016 15:13:23 +0000http://www.grange.org/youth/?p=160Continue reading →]]>Looking for an idea to engage your community? Here’s is one of the many ideas from the 2016 National Grange Youth’s edition of “Recipes for Success.” These are tired-and-true activities from Grange youth, youth leaders and others to help encourage youth involvement.

With Easter a few weeks away, an Easter Egg Hunt is one way to generate community involvement. The members of Pleasant Lodge #134 in Indiana host this event annually according to Grange member Jason Smith.

The details are as follows.

Easter Egg Hunt

Type of Project: Community Service

Time: Preparation: 2-3 days, Event: 1 day

Number of People:10-25

Budget: $750-800

Other Ingredients: Candy, Plastic Eggs, Gifts

Skills Necessary: Planning, advertising, arranging prizes

Mix: Fill Easter eggs with candy.

Break children up into 4 age brackets

Hold hunt based on age groups

Notes: Have a fun carnival game area while waiting for hunt to start; prizes could be included.

Examples include Egg toss, Easter plinko, Photo board.

]]>http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/02/22/motivational-monday-idea-easter-egg-hunt/feed/0Low cost ideas for positive community impacthttp://www.grange.org/youth/2016/02/17/low-cost-ideas-for-positive-community-impact/
http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/02/17/low-cost-ideas-for-positive-community-impact/#respondWed, 17 Feb 2016 01:09:58 +0000http://www.grange.org/youth/?p=158Continue reading →]]>For me the answer is an absolute yes. It takes dedicated teams that takes stock of their community and pinpoint some needs and roll up their sleeves and get to work. Not every job requires a lot of money. It might just require some organization skills and the investment of Granger time.

With Grange month just around the corner, here are some ideas to consider.

Remove litter and debris from several miles of neighborhood streets.

Organize a collection of electronics for recycling.

Collect gently used clothing for recycling – take them to a shelter.

Promote the use of waste receptacles along biking and hiking trails.

Organize a food drive.

Plant flowers and bulbs in a schoolyard.

Plant flowers and bulbs around a Grange Hall.

Start a group that will build and plant flower boxes for your downtown streets.

Organize a yard work crew to clean areas in older cemeteries, parks and church grounds.

Start a community garden or a hunger garden

Organize a garden tour, showcasing the most beautiful lawns and gardens in town-inspire more beauty in your town.

]]>http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/02/17/low-cost-ideas-for-positive-community-impact/feed/0Iowa kicks off the presidential seasonhttp://www.grange.org/youth/2016/02/02/iowa-kicks-off-the-presidential-season/
http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/02/02/iowa-kicks-off-the-presidential-season/#respondTue, 02 Feb 2016 03:10:10 +0000http://www.grange.org/youth/?p=155Continue reading →]]>Ever wonder what it’s like to be from the first state to cast votes for the presidential primary season? Iowa State Granger Doug Baldwin participated tonight in one of the caucuses.

He joked as he prepared for his local caucus, he said its “exciting and (challenging) all in one being first in the nation,” because the push to the finish was intense for many of the campaigns. In the past year, he said presidential candidates and staffers have inundated the state. As he headed in to cast his vote, he said he was still deciding on who he would make his final decision, but “that is the beauty of the process here… we will get to hear from a representative from each candidate and that should help me make my final choice.”

Indications are there were record turnouts at some locations, and the results were close. There are 49 primaries to go. Grangers are preparing to head to New Hampshire to help with the presidential campaigns of their choice. Don’t forget, if you have not registered to vote, check with your state’s Department of State and register.

]]>http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/02/02/iowa-kicks-off-the-presidential-season/feed/0Life in a Presidential Campaignhttp://www.grange.org/youth/2016/01/25/life-in-a-presidential-campaign/
http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/01/25/life-in-a-presidential-campaign/#respondMon, 25 Jan 2016 21:53:44 +0000http://www.grange.org/youth/?p=153Continue reading →]]>Editor’s note: Thanks to past state New Hampshire State Grange Jim Tetreault for submitting this post about his experiences volunteering with a presidential campaign.

How does someone get involved in a Presidential Campaign? First it takes a passion for an individual candidate and an interest in politics. It takes a thick skin not to be offended by what your family and friends may think of that the candidate of your choice. For instance one of my favorite cousins who I am very close to thinks that my candidate is the absolute scum of the earth so I see a steady flow of attacks on face book! I don’t comment I just let him exercise his first amendment rights to free speech.

In my case the interest in politics started in the Grange, even as a youth member I was always fascinated by the Legislative Report, as I look back on it now I thought wow “old people” give those reports but in hindsight I now realize that they were people the same age as I am now! Year latter when I became Legislative Director of the New Hampshire State Grange, and having the opportunity to be mentored by Brother Leroy Watson, I figured out I was a “darn good Lobbyist” and wanted to move beyond the Lobbying world and more into the political side of the spectrum. My political life actually started by becoming a local elected official I have served as the Town Clerk and the Tax Collector for the Town of Winchester since March of 2007, I have a job that I have strived to become good at and my goal is always to make my portion of the Government work and be effective for the Tax Payers. The Political Advocacy portion of my life began as a “bribe” now the reader looks at this and thinks an elected official took a bribe? OMG! The “bribe” was actually a dinner ticker biggest fundraising dinner the State Democratic Party runs at $100 per person. At this event is when the local Democratic Committee hit me up to be their Treasurer, being the person that usually doesn’t say no to anything I took this on and it’s given me an opportunity to see Democratic Politics from the inside.

You wonder how this all relates to the Presidential campaign? Well when the Clinton Campaign was looking to set up a regional campaign Committee, they went to one of my good friends JoAnn Fenton and asked her who should be on the Committee? JoAnn listed a grouping of people and I was one of the people included! So here I site on the Monadnock Region Campaign Committee for Hillary Clinton, a candidate that I supported in 2008 and proud to support today. So what does a member of this type of committee do? Well a lot of grunt work! Canvassing homes, phone banking – you know those annoying calls you get while you’re watching “Jeopardy or the Big Bang Theory” while you’re feeling annoyed remember these are dedicated volunteers who take time out of their personal lives to work for a candidate they really believe in! So please don’t be rude to them, thank them for the call but let them know you’re not interested.

There are times when I am not home and people are in my house launching canvasses, having meetings, we also feedback information to the campaign from the field. Do they listen to us? Probably not! For the field operation it’s an opportunity for volunteers to feel they have someone “connected” to offer suggestions or complaints back to the campaign. We also do some serious things for campaign beyond the grunt work. We also work to accomplish campaign goals and we work as parts of the local brain trusts that helps map out the strategies to meet these goals. The Clinton Campaign is taking advantage of the expertise and knowledge of local activist who have strong roots and connections within each of those communities. On a personal note I have had the opportunity to connect with so many new people. People right in my own neighborhood, that I have waived to as they have driven or walked passed my house. I have also had the opportunity to mentor some young activist who I see great promise in for the future. Ask me and I will tell you about the two exceptional young men from Cheshire County are going be either a US Senator and member of the US House of Representatives from New Hampshire in the next ten years.

So the downside of being involved in a campaign to this extent, you’re always finding left over literature on the counters, Hillary stickers on every suit jack and coat and on the bottom of every pair of shoes. The glove box of the car is full of Hillary brochures, stickers and commit cards.

So when you are home on a Sunday afternoon watching the football game or on a Monday night watching Jeopardy think of me and my associates out in the cold knocking on doors and working the phones, working really hard to get the candidate elected we believe in. If any of this sounds interesting join us for the NH Primary Fly-In on February 5-7 in Manchester NH.

The new year brings a chance to focus on new goals/missions for each of our youth departments. I know many of you will be hosting reorganizational meetings with your youth committees and/or state leadership.

The new year also can bring a change in department leadership. If you are turning your state department over to a new director, please forward this email to the new director. Also send me their contact information so I can update my department listing for 2016.

The National Department has a focus on legislative/citizenship/get out the vote. The 2016 presidential election generates plenty of excitement among younger voters. This excitement can be utilized to develop workshops to teach youth how to register to vote or why its important to vote (Apathy Not Allowed program), learn how to visit with elected officials or speak on behalf of their local Grange at school board/town council/township supervisor meetings.

At the 2015 National Session, we did release a new “recipe book” of ideas for youth activities. I have attached the booklet here for you. There are plenty of ideas from other Grangers that could provide some inspiration for your local departments.

Social media: We have a Grange Youth Department Facebook page, twitter account and youth department blog located at: http://www.grange.org/youth/. The blog is where I post department news and updates. Also, if your department has something you would like to share, I can post it on the blog as well. Ideas would include news from state camps, contests, lock-ins, family weekends and other state department updates.

Regional conferences for 2016. The states are still working out the details, but as of now, here are the dates I have for conferences.

Eastern: New Jersey April 8-10

Great Plains: Oklahoma June 17-19

Midwestern: Wisconsin June 24-26

Northeast: New York, July 8-10

Southeastern: Virginia July 29-31

Western: Oregon August 5-7

Thanks so much for your work, dedication in 2015 and best of luck with a successful 2016.

]]>http://www.grange.org/youth/2016/01/25/january-director-update/feed/0Granges Earn Distinguished Grange Youth Program Statushttp://www.grange.org/youth/2015/11/21/granges-earn-distinguished-grange-youth-program-status/
http://www.grange.org/youth/2015/11/21/granges-earn-distinguished-grange-youth-program-status/#respondSat, 21 Nov 2015 20:41:29 +0000http://www.grange.org/youth/?p=148Continue reading →]]>Two community Granges and three state Granges earned the distinction of Distinguished Grange Youth Program. The program, in its third year, recognizes Grange youth departments that have gone above and beyond in their programming to help with youth leadership development, personal growth, community service and education.

“These Granges have competed outstanding programs of work this year,” said National Youth Development Director Charlene Shupp Espenshade. “They have crafted unique community service projects, tackled distinct needs within their communities and states and helped Grange youth to grow.”

]]>http://www.grange.org/youth/2015/11/21/granges-earn-distinguished-grange-youth-program-status/feed/0Kurburski Selected for Grange Legislative Experiencehttp://www.grange.org/youth/2015/11/17/kurburski-selected-for-grange-legislative-experience/
http://www.grange.org/youth/2015/11/17/kurburski-selected-for-grange-legislative-experience/#respondTue, 17 Nov 2015 03:55:05 +0000http://www.grange.org/youth/?p=146Continue reading →]]>Emily Kurburski of Harbor Springs, Mich. joined the National Grange delegates at the 149th session of the National Grange. She was selected as a part the John Trimble Legislative Experience.

The program, sponsored by the National Grange Youth Foundation, provides Grange youth, ages 14-21, and Grange young adults, ages 22-35, the opportunity to participate as a member of the National Grange delegate body. Youth are allowed to be seated with the state Grange delegates and participate in Grange committee discussion. Prior to the session opening, Kurburski has worked with a policy committee evaluating policy resolutions passed by the state Granges.

Starting on Nov. 10 and through Friday, she will join the delegates on the session floor as they make the final decisions on National Grange policy.

“The Legislative Experience program provides Grange youth a front-row seat to the decision-making process of the National Grange delegates,” said Charlene Shupp Espenshade, National Grange Youth Development Director. “The delegates will be addressing the resolutions sent up from the state Granges for their consideration. The topics will range from agriculture to education and national policy debates to how to improve the National Grange.”

The delegates opened the 149th session yesterday in Lincoln, Neb., to begin their deliberations.

Emily Kurburski, 17, is the daughter of Foster and Ann Kurburski from Harbor Springs, Mich. She calls herself a lifelong Granger, joining as a Junior Granger. Her other activities include 4-H, Family Campers and RV’ers, DECA, Crooked Tree Youth Leadership, Honor Society and Girl Scouts. In school, she is a member of the varsity golf team. She has attended state, regional, and national Grange events as a Junior Granger and as a youth Grange member.

Once she graduates from high school, she would like to attend college and study operation and supply chain management.

]]>http://www.grange.org/youth/2015/11/17/kurburski-selected-for-grange-legislative-experience/feed/0National Grange Youth Department Names Outstanding Young Patrons, Youth Ambassadorshttp://www.grange.org/youth/2015/11/17/national-grange-youth-department-names-outstanding-young-patrons-youth-ambassadors/
http://www.grange.org/youth/2015/11/17/national-grange-youth-department-names-outstanding-young-patrons-youth-ambassadors/#respondTue, 17 Nov 2015 03:43:49 +0000http://www.grange.org/youth/?p=143Continue reading →]]>LINCOLN, Neb. — Rob and Jennifer Beamon of Pennsylvania; Shannon Ruso of New York and Brodi Olds of North Carolina were selected to be a members of the 2015-16 National Grange youth team as the Outstanding Young Patrons and National Grange Youth Ambassadors.

They were selected at the Evening of Excellence at the 149th National Grange Session in Lincoln, Neb.

“These young people will travel for the next year, promoting the Grange, connecting with other Grange youth and focusing on Grange growth,” said Charlene Shupp Espenshade, National Grange Youth Development Director.

The youth ambassadors and outstanding young patrons will travel to regional youth/leadership conferences, assist with program development for the National Grange Youth department and represent the department at various events.

The National Outstanding Young Patrons, Robert and Jennifer Beamon, are from Lebanon, Pa. and members of Hamburg Grange #2103. They have an eight-month-old daughter Savanah Mae. The pair met at Lycoming College where they both majored in chemistry. They are employed by Bayer HealthCare where they work in a chemistry laboratory testing raw materials and products. They are also the Pennsylvania State Grange Young Couple.

National Grange Youth Ambassador Shannon Ruso is a member of Ravena Grange #1457. She is from New Baltimore, N.Y and this year’s New York State Grange Youth Ambassador. She is the daughter of Jeffry and Sandra Ruso. In Grange, she is the Junior Matron for her local Junior Grange and Ravena’s secretary. Ruso is enrolled at Columbia-Greene Community College.

National Grange Youth Ambassador Brodi Olds of Greensboro, N.C. Olds is a member of Summerfield #661. The son of Charles and Jenifer Olds is a junior at East Carolina University majoring in business. Outside of school, he enjoys playing football, listening to music and playing guitar. At church, he is a Young Life Leader. He is a member of the state Grange Youth Team, has competed in public speaking contests and was a member of the state’s youth Grange parliamentary procedure team.

Young Couples
Colorado – Daniel and Jennifer Greer
Illinois Adam and Sara Ellwanger
To learn more about the National Grange Youth Department go to www.nationalgrangeyouth.org. This program is sponsored by the National Grange Youth Foundation. Farm Credit also sponsored the leadership development program.

Editor’s note: Biographies about each winner are as follows.

Young Couples

Colorado – Daniel and Jennifer Greer

Daniel Greer was raised on the Greer Homestead in Marvel, Colo. Jenna was born and raised in Colorado, spending much of her childhood growing up around a farm. The Greers married at age 18 and just celebrated their 10th anniversary. They have four children, Billy, 9; Nathen, 7; Brianna, 5; and Jake, 3. Dan is the DOT compliance officer for Crossfire, LLC. Jenna is a stay-at-home mom, busily raising their four kids. Recently, the Greers started a “jam session” at the Marvel Grange Hall, where musicians can gather for a fun time to play and sing. It has helped to raise attention to their Grange in the community.

Illinois – Adam and Sara Ellwanger

Adam and Sara Ellwanger have been married for eight years and reside in Belvidere, Ill, with their 2-year-old daughter, Scarlette. They met at a National Session in Portland, Ore. “We can honestly say we owe our lives to the Grange,” they said. Adam has been a member of Prairie Grange #1832 all of his life. Sara joined at Mt. Allison Grange in Colorado at the age of 13, and joined Prairie Grange when she moved to Illinois. Both are very active in their local Grange holding the offices of Overseer and Steward. Adam is the Illinois State Grange Overseer and Sara is the State Grange’s community service director. Adam is employed as a firefighter with the City of Belvidere Fire Department. Sara works for the Rock River Valley Blood Bank as a phlebotomist.

Pennsylvania – Robert and Jennifer Beamon

Robert and Jennifer Beamon are from Lebanon, Pa. and members of Hamburg Grange #2103. They have an eight-month-old daughter Savanah Mae. The pair met at Lycoming College where they both majored in chemistry. They married after college and are employed by Bayer HealthCare where they work in a chemistry laboratory testing raw materials and products. They are the Pennsylvania State Grange Young Couple and enjoyed traveling across the state with the State Youth Ambassadors and Junior Grange Prince and Princess. Jennifer is the Pennsylvania State Grange Ceres.

Iowa – Emma Edelen

Emma Edelen is a junior at Minnesota State University, Mankato, studying earth science education. Her long-term plan is to teach high school geology and astronomy. She is also a member of the college’s women’s track and field team. She competes in weight throw, hammer throw, discus throw, and shot put. She is the daughter of Gene and Maria Edelen and has a sister Rachel. They are members of Chester Royal Grange #2181. Edelen is the Iowa State Grange Chaplain.

New York – Shannon Ruso

Shannon Ruso is a member of Ravena Grange #1457. She is from New Baltimore, N.Y and this year’s New York State Grange Youth Ambassador. She is the daughter of Jeffry and Sandra Ruso. She has one brother who is a captain in the Army and a sister who is a social worker. In Grange, she is the Junior Matron for her local Junior Grange. She is also Ravena’s secretary. She is enrolled at Columbia-Greene Community College and is on the Dean’s List.

North Carolina – Emily Harrison

Emily Harrison is the daughter of Rick and Genia Harrson, Newton Grove, N.C. She is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is majoring in political science. She said that Grange has opened up many opportunities for her, including serving as this year’s North Carolina State Youth Ambassador. She enjoys baking, crafting and participating in community theater in her spare time.

North Carolina – Brodi Olds

Brodi Olds of Greensboro, N.C. is this year’s North Carolina Youth Ambassador. He is a member of Summerfield #661. The son of Charles and Jenifer Olds is a junior at East Carolina University majoring in business. Outside of school, he enjoys playing football, listening to music and playing guitar. At church, he is a Young Life Leader. He is a member of the state Grange Youth Team, has competed in public speaking contests and was a member of the state’s youth Parli-Pro Team.

Ohio – Jenna Wyler

Jenna Wyler is the Ohio State Grange Youth Ambassador from Fresno, Ohio. She is a member of Progressive Valley Grange #2433. She is the 17-year-old daughter of John and Annette Wyler and has a brother Kurt. Jenna is a third generation dairy and grain farmer. She enjoys showing her cattle and swine at the county fair and the Ohio Dairy Expo. In Grange, she holds the office of Lady Assistant Steward. She is a member of the Ridgewood FFA Chapter and is chapter president. She is on the worship committee at Fresno United Methodist Church.

Ohio – Jason Shiltz

Jason Shiltz is from Tory, Ohio and is the son of Stephen and Jennifer Shiltz. He is a junior in high school and a member of the Troy High School Marching Band. He plays flute in marching band, tenor saxophone in the jazz band. He has participated in high school musicals, men’s chorus, and symphonic choir. After high school, he plans to study music in college. A member of Stauton Grange #2685, he has enjoyed representing the youth department at different events as the Ohio Youth Ambassador. He also attended the National Grange Legislative Fly-In this spring.

Pennsylvania – Lindsay Schroeder

Lindsay Schroeder, 20, is the Pennsylvania State Grange Youth Ambassador. She is the youngest of five children. She is the daughter of Monte and Rebecca Schroeder of Shoemakersville, Pa. She is a member of Virginville Grange #1832. She is a nanny for two families and building her photography career. She also coaches a U12 girls’ soccer team in the Kutztown Soccer Club. She is also a Sunday School teacher for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten groups.